Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-28

ZEE FLOATING HULK.

u
sky is studded with stars. which are mir
rored in a vast deep beneath. There is
Just enough air to keep the Dolphin NOV
ing at quiet rate, and the passengers are
gathered on deck to enjoy the matchless
evening.
A short distance away stand two lovers
Edmund Prescott and Florence Hern-
don-looking out upon the ocean and
meditating and conversing upon the
scene.
was reclining upon the deck, about a
dozen feet from where the lovers stood
not with any intention of listening to their
words. but simply because l had taken
my position first, aud was too languid to
change it. / had been an invalid for
years, and was now recovering from a
spell of sickness.
presume had lam there for fully an
hour when heard distant bell sound
family across the sea. | asked the cap
tain what it could proceed from, and he
took his night glass and gazed long and
intenty in the direction OF the sound.
81 can see dark body rising and fall
ing on the waves, but that is ALL" he re-
piled. Here, Backstay Bob'-turning
to an old sailor near by-"see what you
make out of it,
"I'll be billed tor blubber if it amt old
Davy Jones afoat." he murmured. "I've
got her in range now. She amt got any
booms, yard, or anything, and the bell is
swingin' from the mainmast every time
she pitches"
Most of the passengers, as we ap-
preached the floating hulk. remarked that
there was something supernatural about
its appearance. but the captain laughed
and said that he was going to search her
from stem to stern.
A boat was lowered. and the captain
having selected crew. pulled away
toward the hulk. asked permission to
accompany it, but on account OF my recent
illness, was refused.
Fortunate for me, indeed. was that re-.
fusal.
We saw the distance swiftly decrease
between the two boats until the shadowy
forms merged into one. And then fol.
lowed an impressive silence-suddenly
broken by howl, o pistol shot and a
scream, and as our hearts almost stopped
beating we saw, a moment later, the boat
pull off from the hulk, and the men row.
ing with all their might back to the ship.
AS they came back we discerned that
the captain was missing.
In reply to our eager questions they
said that the moment they came alongside
the craft they heard a low, hollow, un-
hesitate about going aboard. The captain,
however, climbed up the side of the
vessel, and after looking about the deck
moment descended the hatchway and dis
appeared from view
"A nice crowd you are to desert your
captain!" roared Bob Backstay. 'I'm 60
ing back to that hulk and find out what's
the matter. If its the devil I'll blow him
to piecesp'
tie was scarcely out of sight when the
noise they had heard at first was repeated,
far louder and fereer. The next moment
the report of the captains pistol was heard
followed 6y terrible shrek, and then all
was still.
There was some difficulty in procuring
the requisite men. and accordingly Pres
colt and myself were accepted. AS the
former went over the ships side Florence
Herndop said:
Don't you come back, Edmund, until
you have learned what has become of
poor Captain Luster."
Prescott, in addition to his revolver, had
a small Italian dagger, which | observed
him handling. as il to assure himself that
it was reliable.
Arriving at the craft. after short con-
sultation, it was agreed that the four oars
behind, while Backstay Bob and Edmund
oh s14 L,,l1 -
was morally certain that some dreadful
danger menaced all who entered the cabin,
and as was good for nothing, needed
no more urging than the mate to remain
in my position.
Prescott was first. holding his pistol in
one hand and lantern in the other, while
Bob closely followed with his cut, ass. We
saw them descend the hatchway; all was
still. and then heard the single exclama-
ton from Prescott, "Oh, my Godn'
This was followed by a terribly roar. a
quick succession of pistol shots, fierce
struggle. and then all was still again.
The next moment both Prescott and
Backstay Bob emerged to view, covered
from head to foot with blood.
"Come aboard" said they, 1.-THE danger
is over"
BY the dim light of the lantern we saw
the mangled remains of Captain Luster.
and near him the terrible form of Bengal
tiger, writhing in the agonies of death by
the bullets of the sailors.
We now made critical examination OF
the place. A number of human bones
strewed the floor, and several articles of
wearing apparel. which seemed to indicate
that the place had been tenanted by two
human beings of opposite sexes, who had
probably been torn to pieces by the fam
ished tiger.
The brute had chain to his neck, and
had been confined TO one corner of the
apartment bv delicate iron ring, which
had manifestly been put there to be broken.
Over the centre of the room was written
something in an Indian dialect, which was
pronounced by the mate (who had spent
several years in lndia) to read: 81 have
sought have found that which sought
vengeance
Carefully removing the body of the cap
tain to the little boat, we scuttled the
Mysterious craft and it sank to the bottom
of the ocean. Shortly after the captain
was wrapped in his winding-sheet and
followed.
The strange, awful tale regarding the
old craft we never heard. 1t ever re-
manned to US all an unraveled mystery of
the sea.